Journey so far

“Life is filled with possibilities, one just needs to explore”

All this started not so long ago. Though it was always there in back of my mind but action was missing all along, probably waiting for some trigger.

Chicago was witnessing record snowfall in 2007 and it was snowing heavily even on that day. I was driving down the Hintz road in my Audi (used one), listening Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir when it struck me to hit library; Indian public trails library was very near to my place (Mallard Apartment) in Wheeling. Was it for the actual reason or just for doing something constructive so as to come out of forced hibernation, I don’t remember why I took that turn to library. Whatever was the reason but when I reached that library, I found more than couple of guys preparing for GMAT. Already two of my friends were deep into the GMAT and had even booked the dates for the exam.

Over the last year, I was very busy as onsite project lead of an IT project. But when I entered that library, I just came out of cocoon and I think it was in that frame that I decided that my old self could and should go for infamous GMAT exam. At that time, I was so naïve to the field that I didn’t know name of any other school except for ISB and Harvard. Since, I wanted to settle down in India, so ISB was dream school.

Initially, I enjoyed going to library but project was hectic and I was unable to spare even an hour. I didn’t want that craving to die and hence I again went to library in March and then couple of times in April. I was advised by one of my friend (he had appeared and scored 670) that to be serious, one should book the exam, set a target and then prepare. Instead, I assumed that I will give GMAT in May and started working towards it.

Cutting short, I started my preparations around mid March but got serious only in May. I started studying by self help books and was lucky to have Awendra( brilliant IITian) against whom I could benchmark myself. Since, Awendra was taking coaching from Kaplan, so I often went to him for general discussions. On Friday and Saturday, both of us would go to library and then return to his house for cup of tea (he used to prepare the tea  ). Discussions with Awendra were sometimes constructive but actually I wanted to keep meeting him as discussions with him relieved me of work related stress. Also, it helps to know that you can discuss your preparations with someone who is preparing seriously and that too from best in business.

Though, we always planned to discuss only studies so as to conserve time and energy but usually we ended up discussing all the possible topics under the sky ranging from Indian politics, to economics and shares. Though later in night I always used to feel guilty for wasting my time but I literally used to enjoy those discussions. Different perspectives on same topic were enlightening and gave new always threw new insights.


Other distractions:


Wheeling library is a beautiful place to be in, it has everything from free net access to silent room where one could practice online tests, what else could a person considering GMAT consider beautiful. But there is a catch; it also has a sprawling soccer field just next to it. Fortunately or otherwise, my colleagues had spotted this amazing field for daily soccer games. Being an avid sports lover, I can’t express the feeling that I used to have while climbing the stairs watching my team play soccer. Quite often, I would just park the Audi in library, take my kit out of trunk and head off to the field. This is one time pass, which never felt me feel like I am wasting my time. Soccer just rejuvenates me more than anything else, fierce nature of this game take all the tension out of you.


NGO and Marathon

Around same time I was looking for other extracurricular activities. I wanted to work with an India centric NGO in US, so I contacted couple of NGOs in New Jersey area but finally zeroed on Chicago chapter of TEAM ASHA, which is fund raising arm of ASHA.

Some TEAM ASHA members run marathon, and as a pre requisite members have to raise set target of funds. I joined the team and started training with them on Sunday mornings while I used to run alternate days by myself. On an average I used to run 5 miles or more..Sundays morning were hectic when I targeted 7-9 miles in later stages. I eventually settled for Chicago half marathon. Though I was not good on timing but I was happy that at least I finished what I started with little practice amidst hectic work, GMAT prep, NGO meetings all going on simultaneously.


Forgot to mention that my GMAT date and marathon were on consecutive weekends, so I stopped practicing in last couple of weeks...just no time. I got badly hurt, couldn't walk in the evening as i had not broken into my shoes :( as mandated for runners.


After looking at pathetic performance I first couple of tests, I thought I should drop MBA plans. But then I kept going on, did lots of practice on various books..still had poor results in June ends..GMAT was approaching on 12th July.
Awendra then suggested me a book from Manhattan…for Sentence correction. I bought the book and found it so good that I shifted my GMAT date by 2 weeks so that I can assimilate the wonderful rules and guidelines from that sweet little book. Since then I have recommended that book to so many aspirants and even they found it good. Trick is to use it with supplementary materials such as OG.


The DAY

Finally, I took exam on 26th July 2009.

I was both confident and nervous at same time, probably anxious would be right word. In last week before the exam, I had taken 3 mock tests and had scored more than 750 in all three..so I was high on confidence.

My exam centre was in Chicago downtown, next to beautiful lake and skyline. As a precaution, I drove till station and rode train to downtown. It was a beautiful day, neither too hot nor too cold.

I went to the test center (I had visited it earlier, to be on safer side). They provide you lockers in which I kept my belonging, can’t take food inside so had got a quick nutrient cake in bag for the break time.

After the usual formalities, i-card, authentication and all I was asked to take my seat for the exam. By now, confidence was nowhere to be seen and I was all about nervousness and anxiety.

Exam:

Though I am weak in essay writing but I had developed couple of frameworks by myself and had practiced a bit on those. Though essays that came were quite off the general topics but I just managed to scrape through but I knew I didn’t perform well, which further built on anxiety and pressure to do well in next sections.

(don’t remember which came first, English or maths but I did take due break for restroom and munching)

Anyways, I moved on to next section. Time management was again a cropper as I finished the section 12 minutes ahead of time. Man I was devastated, I spent lot of time on last few questions to increase accuracy but still had plenty of time on hand. I also spent around 7-8 minutes on single question # 13, which I was sure still went wrong.

I found english section relatively easier than practice papers, but my chances relied on accuracy of guesswork. All time management went awry when I finished my first section well in advance by 10 minutes..I repented my stupidity ‘coz in practice exams this trend usually resulted in lower accuracy for me (speed decreases the accuracy)

Now came the final screen…”Do you want to accept the score or to cancel the exam?”
I was so damn anxious and worried that I have failed big time, reflecting on practice exams, I thought I will get max 650-670, which wont help me nyways.
After deliberating for more than 5 minutes, I finally presses accepted and to my surprise I had scored 760

I jumped off my chair, left a note with receptionist for Awendra (he was in same center for mock test) and went to the river side. Meanwhile I called up my brother (in India), it was around 4:00 AM in India, still my brother Ashesh was waiting for the result and we both planned how shall I move forward. One thing we both agreed on is…its party time.

Finally I could chill out after grueling 5 months but not before I submit the applications
(soon I was to know GMAT was easiest of all steps)

What a feeling that was, Awendra and I both came back together. We had fun…went to Pankaj da’s place..partied with my roomies.

Result was worth the effort after all
Thanks to all who contributed to my journey thus far.

Pending:

Stage 2: application process

Stage 3: Finally I made it to premiere schools. I applied to IIM Calcutta (executive) and ISB. Cracked both..eventually choosed ISB.

Why and how?
Will come later as right now I am damn hard pressed at ISB…intellectuals here are killing me for performance…always short of time..confidence I have but uncertain markets and bad placement experience from engineering (during 02-03 downturn) are factors that worry a bit as markets are again down in 09-10

"Lets see..journey itself will explore the path henceforth as it has in past!"

SPARK, what an event!
After coming back to India, I felt like I should get into stuff that could keep me from getting bored!
Now that Salsa intermidiate classes are over so what next? Hmm..what else could I do?
How does one pass time in his company? Work Work ..naaaah.

Lets teach the kids, as soon as this idea popped out of my brain, I contacted E&R (education and research) guys.And immediately I got a mail from Brijesh, who I later came to know is a gem of a person. More on him later but yeah he initiated me into CTY and Spark initiatives.

On 31st of January, Spark and CTY events were organized in Infosys. Being a socialy responsible coprporate, Infosys invites class 8th students for a competitive exam. Selected students from CTY get opportunity to work for 2 months in Infosys production projects.

Considering my experience (common I am not that old yet :( ), I had to keep teachers, wards and senior students engaged. Being a tutotr for 7 years, I knew that handling senior students and teachers won't be easy. But one can't shy away in front of juniors :), specially the fairer sex. So, I was ready for the dreadful encounter fearing the kind of questions that could pop out of such a crowd.

Event was well planned, volunteers were assigned due responsibilities and backup were also put in place. On 31st, all of us were ready to meet the young guns from all strata of Hyderabad schools.

Volume of participants is a story in itself; Arrangements were in place for approx 600 but its anyones guess what transpired when over 1000 participants eventually turned up.

Chaos is the word that come to mind, isn't it?

Man, was it a Chaos! aye, it surely was. But there was such a symmetry amidst the huge chaos, students in all the directions, in different uniforms. I closed my eyes to enjoy the moment, all I could hear was interference of different notes and syllables. No meaninful conversation could be heard but still it was beautiful. I don't know if this happens with others too but I have a habit of going back down the memory lane, revisiting similar events from my life.

Toughest task of the day was to segregate 8th std kids from other kids of same school and to keep a mapping of room and school so that their wards can track the students. Task was further complicated by the requirement that guys and girls should be in different rooms, thanks to Women special sessions :).
Nari Shakti key samney natmastak!

Eventually, I reached the hall and tried to settle down the crowd by getting into active one to many conversations. Oh dear, there were so many stunners; I got in touch with 4 smart guys from some school named Oak Ridge (I hope I got it right). One of these guys asked me, "Why did you come back from US?". Though, I had answered this question so many times but it got difficult for me. They were unable to appreciate that some people prefer working in home country even if it's India.Blame the pre recession US hype amoung Andhrites, which has still not died.
Phew, except when it comes to marrying ones duaghter to a poor IT chap in US!

Now how many of us believe in coincidence? My hand is up in support.

After the tiresome 4 hours, myself and Sunita (who was also in same hall as mine) were about to go for first tea break. Suddenly, one of Oak ridge guy (aye, coincidence) got severe Asthma attack, he was about to faint. To save the time, we took this smart guy in Sunita's car to the nearest pharmacy where he got the puff. But it was only temporary so we took him to Apollo and finally to CARE center in Jubille Hills.

Though I was tense because of the kid's condition but what was driving me crazy was deadly combination of Sunita's fast and nervous driving. Probably, she was worried for what if we make it late to the hospital.

Eventually, we arrived back just in time. Event was over! but we didn't miss the photo sessions :)

It was an eventful day that started with a calm prayer, had it's share of excitement, thrill and drama.
But like bollywood movies, day ended on a happy note:)

Finally, my take at end of day; such events are great not only 'coz one gets chance to contribute to society but also 'coz one's friend circle increases many fold and never forget the happiness factor :)